Painters Masking tape tool

ABSTRACT

The invention is a functional versatile and efficient tool of simplistic design comprising of a frame body with an integral front and rear shoes, in conjunction with a spool used for the accurate placement of readily available standard tape width to an intersection for masking purposes. A tape roll mounts onto a spool affixed to a frame body. Tape is drawn around the front shoe and under the rear shoe for placement and embedding. The front shoe and rear shoe glide against the adjacent surface to act as a guide for parallel tape placement to the intersection. A removable cutter assembly with retractable cutter guard, severs the tape cleanly and a removable measuring stop ensures tape length accuracy up to an abutting surface. Snap-on sleeves corresponding to various standard tape widths are affixed to the front and rear shoes. Simplicity of design ensures low cost manufacturing with readily available materials.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Masking tape is an essential product of the painting and decorating industry and much of it is placed by the professional painter using a practiced, well honed level of skill and dexterity. The DIY (Do-it-yourself) person seldom has the opportunity to practice this task sufficiently and consequently do not acquire the level of skill required to complete a quality job. Typically and tediously the masking tape is placed manually along the top edge of baseboard to shield the baseboard from paint as the adjacent wall is being painted. Typically it is also placed around window and door trim and along carpet and baseboard intersections or other floor covering adjacent to newly painted surfaces. It is also used to protect the intersections of wall and ceiling surfaces. Again, it is often the product used to mask off glass around a painted or stained window frame, but is not limited to any of the above applications.

The masking tape tool will place the masking tape accurately to the required surface at the intersection.

Prior State of Technology 3M Innovative Properties Co. Scotch Blue Painter's Tape Application Tool TA20-SB

This tool has a serrated rear cutter mechanism for tearing the tape apart causing problems with the just deposited tape in that the tape is subject to extreme tension, much like the tape in a scotch tape dispenser. The action required to sever the tape requires the operator to pull the tool and twist the tool to stretch the tape to an extreme over the serrated cutter in order to eventually sever the tape. A portion of the newly deposited tape is easily stretched beyond its natural stable state causing it to be pulled off the surface and when re-placed by hand, to wander significantly from the intersection. Further, the tape is significantly short of an abutting surface and requires skilful dexterity to measure and place a length of tape to complete the operation thus negating the efficiency of the tool in the first instant.

This tool is restricted exclusively to the manufacturer, customized masking tape product. The tool will not accept any other brand of manufactured standard product and is further restricted to a single width of tape.

Prior state of technology Patent no. GB2283725(A) 1995 May 2017 limits the tape width to one size only, thus imposing significant restrictions on the tool. The cut tape will be significantly short of an abutting surface and will require the operator to revert to manually measuring, cutting and placing a short tape length to complete the taping process. It has rotatable rollers to place the tape, which are more expensive to manufacture.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,547,740 Dec. 15, 1970 Inventor Hinds Schubert W.

The design has left very little room between the scissor type cutter and the tape to safely grip the tape to reload around the front roller. The design is further limited by a single guide roller which can be hit and miss with regards to the accurate placement of the tape at the intersection. The deposited tape requires further embedding to ensure a bleed free seal between the tape and the surface.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,537,942 Nov. 3, 1970 George Kefalos.

This tool design has no on-board cutter or measuring device both of which is a significant shortcoming.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,478,068 Nov. 12, 2002 J. Paul Brown.

This tool is highly engineered with a multiplicity of parts contributing to expensive manufacturing costs and resulting in impractical retail cost. It relies on a roller to apply tape and a guide pin for guiding the adhesive tape.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,684,926 also CA2389466A1 Dec. 6, 2002 Inventor Edward Matechuk.

This tool is limited by no, on-board cutter or measuring device.

There are many masking tape tools with individual shortcomings such as high engineering costs, a lack of on-board cutters and no means of measuring tape up to an abutting surface. Some are unable to use a variety of standard tape widths and some have poor methods of tape severance to avoid re-stretching or twisting of the tape and some have neither.

A need exists for a low cost adaptable tool with an on-board cutter to cleanly cut/sever tape without unnecessary stretching or tearing of the tape and a means of accurately measuring the tape prior to cutting that is needed to mask a surface up to an abutting plane in a convenient and efficient manner that is significantly superior to manual tape placement.

The manually operated tool is loaded by hand, by pulling a length of tape from the mounted roll around and under the slotted front shoe and beyond the rear shoe. Preference, often decides the use of tape of a differing width. This versatile tool quickly adapts from the standard 1″ tape width using slotted snap-on sleeve of appropriate width to the front shoe and a snap-on sleeve of appropriate width to the rear shoe to a functional tool using standard 1.25″ tape width and again to a standard tape width of 1.5″ and again to a standard tape width of 2″ for a total of four standard widths of tape, all of which are readily available stock items in the hardware and painting stores.

Masking tape is sensitive to uneven stretching as it is being placed. Often the unskilled painter, when applying the tape, stretches the tape randomly thus rendering it useless as it will then be practically impossible to apply it in a straight line at the intended intersection.

This Tape tool has a frictional fit on-board cutter assembly and measuring stop to readily permit the proper tape length to be cut/severed accurately, precisely and cleanly without stretching or pulling of the tape or otherwise unequally tensioning the tape as to cause it either to be pulled off the applied surface or to cause it to be pulled out of alignment both of which would defeat the intended purpose of the tool in the operation of masking accurately in the first place.

The tape is severed optionally by an on-board arrow shaped cutter or a box cutter style knife through the slot on the front shoe. A simple action of pressing the arrow shaped cutter mechanism will engage the cutter at its apex point with the tape thus causing a piercing and concurrent severing action to separate the tape across its width without stretching it. Further, a retractable guard serves two purposes: it covers the blade for safety purposes and it applies subtle pressure to the tape, during the cutting/severing action trapping and tensioning the tape between the guard and on each side of the slot on the front shoe to assist in the cutting/severing operation. Upon completion of the cut, the guard retracts to its passive position above the tape providing operator clearance to safely re-load tape around the shoes.

The severed cutting action is achieved by engaging the arrow shaped cutter to tensioned tape without stress to the tape. Upon completion of the cut, the tool is removed and the remaining curl of tape is gently hand pressed into the corner up to the abutting surface. The process is complete without further repositioning or alignment of the tape, fussing with the tape, massaging of the tape or embedding of the tape to the surface. Alternatively, the cutter mechanism may be removed from the tool and severing of tape can be achieved by the use of a standard box cutter knife common to the painting industry, by shearing the tape through the slot on the front shoe and through the slot on the respective front sleeves.

The present invention achieves its intended purposes and advantages through this multifunction tool, utilizing a variety of standard roll of masking tape (manufactured by a variety of manufacturers) readily found in most hardware or painting decorating stores. Its versatility to be quickly and efficiently adapted to use various standard widths of masking tape is unique and its simplicity of design with few moving parts, makes it a robust tool relatively inexpensive to manufacture and employing only readily available materials. The onboard frictional fit, spring loaded arrow shape cutter assembly easily and quickly removes from the tool as does the frictional fit measuring stop should that be necessary in some restricted places and also should it be the preference of the operator.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The embodiment of this tool design considered, functionality, versatility and efficiency combined with simplicity; ease of manufacture combined with low manufacturing cost were also equally important objectives, wherein a standard roll of various widths of masking tape mounted onto the tool, when drawn around and under a front shoe to adhere to the surface and then further embedded completely by a rear shoe to the intended surface intersection.

This tool eliminates the individual limits inherent in other tape applicators, namely:

-   -   by comparison, it is low cost to manufacture, few moving parts,         no acquired skill level to successfully operate to produce         professional results immediately     -   has an onboard removable measuring stop to measure the tape up         to an abutting surface:     -   has an onboard removable cutter to exact a clean cut to the         tape: alternatively can use the standard box cutter knife, or         similar, common tools used in the decorating industry.     -   adapts quickly, easily and simply to use masking tape of various         standard widths:     -   uses generic standard masking tape available from most hardware         or painting stores and permits the operator to use a tape of         choice whether an expensive masking tape or an inexpensive         masking tape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 depicts an exploded view of the painters tape tool showing all parts of the tool and their respective positioning, relationship and alignment to each other.

FIG. 2 is the same drawing as FIG. 1 but viewed from a different perspective to aid in clarity.

FIG. 3 depicts the assembled masking tape tool together with a mounted roll of tape showing its path of travel positioned over a typical baseboard adjacent to a wall surface.

FIG. 4 is the same arrangement as FIG. 3 but viewed from a different perspective to aid clarity.

PARTS LIST REFERENCING DRAWING 1

No. Name Quantity 1 HANDLE 1 2 FRAME BODY 1 3 SPOOL 1 4 SLOTTED FRONT SHOE 1 5 REAR SHOE 1 6 MEASURING STOP 1 7 CUTTER ASSEMBLY 1 8 ARROW SHAPED CUTTER 1 9 SPRING 1 10 AXLE 1 11 SLOTTED FRONT SHOE SLEEVE 3 12 REAR SHOE SLEEVE 1 13 FLEXIBLE GUARD 1 14 FRONT SHOE SLOT 1 15 CUTTER ASSEMBLY POCKET 1 16 MEASURING STOP POCKET 1 17 SLEEVE SLOT 1

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The tool of the invention in reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 includes a frame body (2) consisting of three general hubs positioned in triangular geometry in a vertical plane to which is mounted a rotatable spool (3) on to the axle (10) which is an integral part of the upper general hub. A slotted front shoe (4) is an integral part of the front hub. A rear shoe (5) is an integral part of the rear hub.

Alignment of the tape and guidance of the tool to achieve such is reliant upon the slotted front shoe (4) and the rear shoe, (5) both matching tape width, gliding on the adjacent surface. The spool (3) width matches the smallest tape width of 1″, and further assists, but is not contingent, in the guidance and alignment of the accurate placement of the deposited tape. Corresponding snap-on sleeves (11 and 12) match the various tape widths desired to accurately align and deposit the tape of standard differing widths.

The slotted front shoe (4) places/applies the tape to the planar surface. The rear shoe (5) embeds the tape to the planar surface. No further action is required with the masking tape on the surface either to reposition accurately, or to embed prior to paint application.

An integral handle (1) on the frame aids the operator to hold and control the tool forward during the masking tape placement and embedding application.

The cutter assembly (7) consists of a post and a cross member designed to support an arrow shaped cutter blade (8) and a flexible retractable guard and is positioned into a pocket (15) on the frame body (2) opposite the slot (14) on the slotted front shoe (4).

The retracted removable cutter assembly (7) is positioned in the region of the slot (14) in the slotted front shoe (4). When the cutter assembly (7) is pressed, the singular arrow like cutter (8) pierces the tensioned tape thru the slot (14) on the slotted front shoe (4) concurrently severs the tape across the entire width. Upon release of the cutter assembly (7) the cutter assembly (7) retracts by way of the included spring (9) to its normal passive state and position above and clear of the masking tape.

The flexible guard (13) on the cutter assembly (7) completely covers the cutter edge (8) when the cutter assembly (7) is in its upper passive state and position. The cutter assembly is engaged/pressed to permit the arrow shaped cutter (8) to come into contact with the tape. The flexible guard (13) also engages the tape during the cutting action and applies subtle pressure to the tape against the slotted front shoe (4) on each side of the slot (14) thus further tensioning the tape causing the tape to remain taut over the slot (14) to assist in the severing and easy separation of the masking tape. The cutter assembly (7) may be lifted out of the friction fit pocket subject to operator's preference. Alternatively, the tape may be severed by placing a box cutter knife or similar (not included in this equipment or application or drawing) through the tape at the slot (14) location both on the slotted front shoe (4) or the respective slotted front shoe sleeves (11).

The removable measuring stop (6) is positioned in the pocket (16) located on the front hub adjacent to the front shoe (4) on the frame (2). The friction measuring stop (6) function is to cause the tool to stop at the pre-determined distance (when it abuts a wall or other surface denoting the end point of masking a surface). When the tape is cut to this pre-measured length the tape will accurately place completely up to the abutting wall without further cutting/trimming action or other fussing with the tape.

Upon completion of the cut/severance and release of the cutter assembly (7), the spring (9) causes the cutter assembly (7) to return to its normal state of rest above and clear of the front shoe (4) and the flexible guard (13) will automatically return to its normal passive state to completely cover the cutter (8).

A generic standard roll of tape mounts onto the spool (3) and tape is manually drawn smooth side over around and under the front shoe (4) where it is pressed onto the intended planar surface by the slotted front shoe (4). As the rear shoe (5) passes over the applied tape it is further “embedded” or “seated” to the surface The tape will not require further fussing to provide a bleed free seal in preparation for the paint.

The spool (3) and the slotted front shoe (4) and rear shoe (5) are of standard tape width, of 1″ to reflect the most common tape width used in the industry.

1. A slot (17) on the slotted removable 1.25″ sleeve (11) snaps onto the slotted front shoe (4), and a removable 1.25″ sleeve (12) snaps onto the rear shoe (5) to adapt the tool to use standard 1.25″ wide tape.

A slot (17) on the slotted removable 1.5″ sleeve (11) snaps onto the slotted front shoe (4) and a removable 1.5″ sleeve (12) snaps onto the rear shoe (5) to adapt the tool to use standard 1.5″ wide tape.

A slot (17) on the slotted removable 2″ sleeve (11) snaps onto the slotted front shoe (4) and a removable 2″ sleeve (12) snaps onto the rear shoe (5) to adapt the tool to use standard 2″ wide tape.

The spool (3) remains generic for all tape widths as the hole in standard, “off-the-shelf”, tape rolls reflect the industry standard sameness regardless of tape width.

The shape of the frame body permits rigidity to the tool and also provides an alignment surface on which the spool (3) and the roll of tape glides to maintain trueness in a 90 degree plane to the tape as the tape is peeled off the roll.

This tool is unique in its simplicity of operation, simplicity of design, simplicity of construction with few moving parts, low manufacturing costs and by extension, low retail costs and multifunctional use in the measuring, cutting and accurate placement and embedding of various manufacturers of various standard roll widths of masking tape. Standard materials are used in its manufacture. 

1-12. (canceled)
 13. A dispenser comprising of: a) a structure on which a slotted front shoe and a rear shoe is affixed, b) an arrow shaped cutter with an apex point and a sharp edge leading away from the apex point in both directions, c) a frictional fit removable cutter assembly, d) slotted sleeves of appropriate standard tape widths to attach to the front shoe.
 14. The tool in claim 1 wherein a device applies pressure to the said tape on either side of the said slot on the said front shoe.
 15. The tool in claim 1 wherein the said measuring stop of predetermined length is a frictional fit into a pocket on the said frame adjacent to the said front shoe and positioned in a forward direction.
 16. The tool in claim 1 wherein guidance for tape width other than 1″ is by means of a corresponding tape width of slotted snap-on sleeve to said front shoe and corresponding width of snap-on sleeve to the said rear shoe.
 17. The tool in claim 1 wherein the severance of said tape widths alternatively, may be by use of a single blade cutter (single blade cutter not included in this application) through the slot on the said slotted front shoe and slotted snap-on sleeves. 